Why Has Type 1 Collagen Become a Wellness Essential?

Type 1 collagen has stolen the spotlight in collagen supplements, and for good reason, too. 

As the most prominent collagen type in the human body, Type 1 collagen is crucial in supporting skin, bones, and connective tissue. 

With age, natural collagen production declines. It leads to the appearance of the visible signs of ageing, like wrinkles, fine lines, and dry skin. Bone density begins to decrease, putting seniors at risk for osteoporosis, especially women. 

That’s where collagen supplementation comes in. Regular collagen intake improves the amino acid levels in the body, providing it with the raw materials to produce collagen and even stimulating the fibroblasts to create more of it. 

Hydrolysed marine collagen or pure marine collagen, which are known for their high bioavailability, are some of the best sources of Type 1 collagen. Bovine collagen, too, is another great source of Type 1 collagen. Let’s back up a bit to give you a more comprehensive picture of the types of collagen and their functions. 

The Collagen Family From Type 1 to Type 5

There are 28 types of collagen, but Collagens Types 1 to 5 are the key ones to know. Here’s a table to help you understand the different characteristics of the 5 significant types of collagen and their composition in the body. 

Type 1, 2, 3, and 5 collagens’ fibril-forming ability plays a key role in making bodily tissues strong and resistant to stretching (tensile strength). It also helps keep connective tissues stable and supports their overall structure, so they don’t “break down” or “lose their shape”.

The data pretty clearly shows that Type 1 collagen is the most significant variety of collagen present in the body. It’s responsible for providing shape and structure to our eyes, connective tissues and skin. 

What Does Type 1 Collagen Do for You? 

Type 1 collagen makes up approximately 90% of the body’s total collagen. It plays a critical role in providing strength, structure, and elasticity to connective tissues and skin. 

• Bones and Teeth

Type 1 collagen forms the structural framework of bones and teeth. It acts like a scaffold that binds calcium and other minerals in the bone, making bones strong yet slightly flexible. Without enough Type 1 collagen, bones may become weak and prone to fractures. Weak bones are a warning sign of conditions like osteoporosis. 

• Skin 

Type 1 collagen is a major component of the dermis, the inner layer of the skin, followed by elastin. It helps maintain skin elasticity. As we age, natural collagen production decreases by 1% each year after the age of 25. What happens next is the appearance of sagging skin, wrinkles, and dry skin. Supplementing with Type 1 collagen may work to slow these visible signs of ageing. 

• Muscles and Tendons

Muscles and tendons rely heavily on Type 1 collagen to stay firm. Type 1 collagen connects muscles to bones and provides the tensile strength needed for movement. This is why collagen is often used in sports recovery and injury prevention, especially for athletes or active individuals.

• Hair and Nail

Type 1 collagen provides the amino acids your body needs to build keratin. Keratin is the most abundant protein found in hair and nails. 

The Best Sources of Type 1 Collagen

Some of the best sources of Type 1 collagen are:

•  Bovine hide

•  Fish bones, scales, and skin

• Chicken broth

Pure marine collagen, made from fish skin, bones and scales, is a rich source of Type 1 collagen.  Marine collagen is easily absorbed by the body because it is highly bioavailable. In fact, hydrolysed marine collagen (collagen that has been “broken” into smaller pieces called peptides) is even easier to digest and use. 

In conclusion : What’s A Good Type 1 Collagen To Take? 

Type 1 collagen has earned its reputation as a wellness essential in the health circuit because of its ubiquitous presence in our bodies. Supplementing with Type 1 collagen gives your body the amino acid boost it needs for overall wellness. 

If you’re looking for a simple Type 1 collagen product, the Nutrabytes’ high-quality Pure Marine Collagen Capsules, made in collaboration with Naticol®, are one of our best supplements. Naticol® collagen is made from fish skins and preserves the biological benefits of collagen even after processing. The best part? Naticol® supports sustainable fishing practices. If you are ready to experience the benefits of Type 1 collagen, this is the product to try. It’s high-strength hydrolysed pure marine collagen. Take 2 capsules a day. 

It’s truly the simplest way to support your beauty from within! 

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. What is Type 1 collagen?

Type 1 collagen is a prominent collagen category found mainly in the skin, bones, tendons, and ligaments. It provides structure, strength, and elasticity to skin and connective tissues, helping to keep them firm.

2. Are there any benefits of taking Type 1 collagen?

Supplementing Type 1 collagen regularly may stimulate fibroblasts to ramp up collagen production, while providing the body with the raw materials needed to make collagen. 

3. When should I take Type 1 collagen for best results?

Type 1 collagen supplements can be taken at any time! It’s the consistent daily use over several weeks that often shows more noticeable results. Taking collagen with Vitamin C may also boost collagen synthesis since Vitamin C is needed to turn the amino acids into usable collagen.

4. Are there any side effects of Type 1 collagen?

Type 1 collagen is generally safe for most people when taken as directed. Some may experience mild digestive discomfort or allergic reactions. If sourced from fish, it’s best to check the source and consult with your GP in case you have any allergies. 

Buying collagen from EU or UK manufacturers could mean the collagen is safer, because of stricter standards imposed on supplement quality. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) doesn’t regulate collagen in the USA, leaving you to verify the nature, source and quality of collagen manufactured there. 

Reference

• Amirrah, I. N., Lokanathan, Y., Zulkiflee, I., Wee, M. F. M. R., Motta, A., & Fauzi, M. B. (2022). A Comprehensive Review on Collagen Type I Development of Biomaterials for Tissue Engineering: From Biosynthesis to Bioscaffold. Biomedicines, 10(9), 2307. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines10092307

• Selvaraj, V., Sekaran, S., Dhanasekaran, A., & Warrier, S. (2024). Type 1 collagen: Synthesis, structure and key functions in bone mineralization. Differentiation; research in biological diversity, 136, 100757. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diff.2024.100757

• https://www.orthobullets.com/basic-science/9013/collagen

Singh, D., Rai, V., & Agrawal, D. K. (2023). Regulation of Collagen I and Collagen III in Tissue Injury and Regeneration. Cardiology and cardiovascular medicine, 7(1), 5–16. https://doi.org/10.26502/fccm.92920302